Lexington Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch: Friday, September 25, 1981
Age:
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 25, 1981
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 410 gauge
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Chief of Police Richard Carrington was shot and killed in an ambush by a man he had previously arrested.
In retaliation, the man had taken a woman hostage and told her he planned on murdering the chief. He ordered her to call Chief Carrington and instruct him to come to her home. As the chief was en route to the home he called a local judge who had dealt with the suspect before and asked him to call the man. The judge began negotiating with the man and asked him to surrender his gun to Chief Carrington.
After about an hour the man agreed to exchange the hostage for an unarmed Chief Carrington. To prove he was unarmed, the chief removed his shirt and walked to the front door and turned all the way around with his arms raised. As he completed his turn and faced the man, the suspect shot him in the chest, killing him.
The suspect was shot and wounded by return gunfire by other officers on the scene and taken into custody. He was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was eventually paroled.
Chief Carrington had served with the Lexington Police Department for only 18 months. He was survived by his wife and three daughters.